Nagurski's physical power and humble nature made him more than a celebrity -- he was a hero. In his home state of Minnesota almost any news concerning Nagurski was deemed worthy of frontpage importance.

Bronko was a charter member of both the college football and pro footballHalls of Fame. The Bronko Nagurski Museum in International Falls is the first museum dedicated to an individual football player. An award named after him is given annually to the top college football defensive player.